Hello everyone,
My name is Miguel, I am 23 years old, a citizen of Spain and within 20 days I shall be starting a solo expedition from the United States to the southernmost tip of Argentina. Being a Mercedes gear-head and striving with a tight budget, I bought a 1981 Mercedes 300TD wagon that I am currently modifying to make expedition-worthy.
Since I graduated college, I started writing a blog called "This European Life", where I narrate my travels and my thoughts on where life takes me. I call it an open travelogue because I do not plan on it NEVER ending, I am always looking to meet fellow travelers wherever I go! So, don't be shy and shoot me a line if you want to meet and talk about rigs and overlanding!
It is an honor to be part of this –VERY SERIOUS- community of offroaders and adventurers, and I hope to meet many of you wherever my wheels take me! I shall also keep my eyes open for the last supplies I need!
Now, it's time for the long-waited Cuban adventure. This is the first part out of a trilogy on my experience in Havana, starting with a general intro, continuing on the quest of the Gullwing, and ending with a series of cool snippets that I could not fit anywhere else. May I mention that any of the money donated was NOT used in this part of the trip, due to the legal constrains by Indiegogo and the US policy towards Cuba. Silly I have to write this disclaimer, but law is law. Pffft. Enjoy, anyway!
Now it's time to make history. This European Life proudly presents one of the longest, most exciting articles of the whole saga: the story on how I went to Cuba to find the lost Mercedes 300SL Gullwing, and the long road to finding it!
New delivery! A few short stories aside from the quest of the sad, sad Gullwing, the last of the Cuban trilogy. Some factual, some just plain funny: from an unsuspectingly good-hearted mechanic to a ride Casto's limousine.
Well, this is it! December 31st, 2012. And here I am, narrating the move from Cancún to Guatemala, which will be followed by two articles on this gorgeous country with photography to match! Everyone have a happy and prosperous 2013!
Life is busy! I am currently studying for the GMAT, so I am not having too much time to spend in sightseeing. Someone has to compensate for six years without math!
At long last, after a month of rest and a few amazing experiences, I have retaken my writing duties. This is the first one out of three articles I plan on writing about Guatemala: the first one on Antigua, the second one of Lake Atitlan, and the third one on Guatemala City or just a classic set of "World Snippets". Hope you enjoy this first delivery!
A week-long visit to one of Guatemala's most scenic natural wonders, Lake Atitlán! The expedition will continue on the 1st of March, down through Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. A whole new continent awaits!
In this episode of This European Life, Miguel whines about the GMAT, drives through a forest fire and crosses the sketchiest border in Central America. Stay tuned for an adventure that will twist your stomach, make you clench your firsts and perhaps bring up a little bit of puke to your mouth!
Nicaragua is a truly stunning country! From its colonial towns to its fresh water shores, it has become one of my favorites so far. Luckily it is still relatively unexploited, so it allows for a more integrated experience when visiting! Most certainly, I shall return to Nicaragua and Cuba. Not that the two of them are socialist, or anything...
Tell me when and where!
Currently working on shipping the car around the Darien Gap...
- - - - - - - - - - -
When someone mentions Costa Rica to you, perhaps the first thing you think about are lush landscapes, beautiful scenery and paradise-like coastlines. Do you think I am going to write about these? WRONG! I have actually gone on a full-chapter delusion on how things have worked out in this magnificent little country. Read on and follow me on this PanAmerican scavenger hunt for awesome things beyond the typical!
The inevitable crossing of the Darien Gap via Panama, in a short and sweet format. Not the most exciting thing in the world... but just wait what I have ready for you when I reach Venezuela.
I was involved in a dreadful accident with the car, I came out unscathed but the poor wagon is not even suitable as a parts car. I took some time yesterday to write a detailed account of the accident and my concerns for the future of this trip... at this point, I am on the fence about interrupting it and go back home to see the family and earn some money.
A little late, but the accident stopped things so suddenly I had to take a break to recover. The article about my experience in Venezuela was so lengthy I had to divide it into three parts. On this first part, I narrate everything ranging from my departure from Medellín to my arrival to the town of San Cristóbal... enjoy!
One... two... and third release of my doings in Venezuela. Wrapping up the adventure now! Following next, will be a series called "Red Plate Diaries" on the process of setting up my import/export company, "Oliden Group", and a tour around Spain looking for cars!
Have you come to a decision of what you are going to do after your big accident? Are you going to buy another vehicle to drive, or are you headed home?
The expedition is officially over. This post, one of the most emotive I have written in a while, addresses the change from PanAmerican adventurer to a new encounter with my birthplace. Deciding to stop was a tough decision, but one that I do not regret, nonetheless. Re-discovering home is something I needed to come to terms with, and now it has been the best time to do so.
From here on, I will be posting my adventures as I hunt for vehicles all over Europe in a series of posts called "Red Plate Diaries", named after the particularly colored dealer plates in Spain. I am sure you will enjoy my European tour as much as you have enjoyed my adventures on the PanAm!
My business, Oliden Group, has a facebook page where you can keep track of the vehicles (and other products) I will export to the USA. Who knows? Maybe you'd like to buy one!
Well... now that I am back in Spain not much has been going on. In my recovery I have founded Oliden Group, shipped my first G-Wagen (due at the end of this month) and dedicated myself to polish up my automotive journalism. Having shared the classroom with many a hipster, I though it was about time to write an article on hipsterdom and vehicles!
People are way too drastic when addressing hipsters; it's not a black-and-white world. While some of them are apathy-worshiping pseudo-cultural parasites, some others are actually productive members of society. The guys at Mercedes Motoring are currently doing some of the most exquisite vintage Mercedes restorations I have seen, and are truly enjoying it. The language they use, the way they dress, or choice to filter pictures with instagram is their own business.
Oh, hold on! What's this? IT'S A NEW UPDATE! 8 months later, I am back in the game and stronger than ever. This European Life travels again, and will be on the road soon!
Talk about four intense months. In less than half a year I have moved to Dubai, worked in China and lost my job. Still in a better position than when I started, but not without its share of hardship. It never gets easier!
These days I've been remembering a lot of the good old times down the PanAmerican. So, two years later, I present you with a lot of material that was kept secret when the Gullwing story was published.
Are you ready for a trip down Memory Lane into the Cave of Wonders?
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Pirate 4x4
18.7M posts
366.4K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to custom off-road vehicle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about trail reports, builds, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, fabrication, drivetrain, and more!